By Chelsea Blair
The Greenbrier County Commission met on Aug. 27 at the Greenbrier County Courthouse and began the meeting with the approval of $12,019.66 in arts and recreational transfers from savings to checking. The allocations included $1,000 to the Greenbrier Valley Chorale for 2024-2025 programming fees, $8,911.02 to the Town of Rainelle Pool for 2024-2025 pool expenses, and $2,108.64 to the Meadow River Trail for expenses and partial AML reimbursement. Additionally, one budget revision to increase planning commission contributions to other government entities by $28,384.08 was discussed. These funds were received from the WV DEP for demolition projects. All arts and recreation transfers, as well as the budget revision, were approved unanimously.
The first item on the agenda was the opening of bids for the construction of Phase 3 of the Meadow River Trail, Rainelle section. Construction on Phase 3 can now begin, with the bids to be fully covered by the DEP Abandoned Mine Land and Economic Revitalization Program. Seven bids were submitted: Sibold Excavation Company at $2,223,500; Wolfe’s Excavation LLC at $2,123,540.25; Lynch Construction at $2,125,590.50; Aspen Corporation at $3,485,556; Spring Creek Consultants and Contractors Inc. at $2,148,928.23; Goal Technical LLC at $2,140,768.50; and Cherry River Construction LLC at $4,850,827. All bids will be reviewed to ensure compliance, and the commission will reconvene at a later date to make the award.
The next agenda item was the consideration of Resolution #5 for the Greenbrier County PSD #2 Waterline Extension Project. This resolution involves purchasing land for a new water tank from Wallace Memorial Cemetery for $25,000. Of this total, $22,500 was requested from the Commission to cover the land cost. The payment to Wallace Memorial Cemetery was approved unanimously, and construction bids are expected to be posted within the next 30 days.
The commissioners then discussed the renewal agreement for the Altice cable franchise. Commissioner President Tammy Shifflett-Tincher noted that there is currently an agreement with Altice, also known as Sea Bridge Acquisition LLC, which has been operating as Suddenlink Communications under the former agreement. The commission received the renewal request on August 1 and has 30 days to review and accept it. After acceptance, the commission must consider the application in a public meeting within 120 days. A public hearing will be advertised to allow public input on the agreement. A motion to approve the acceptance of the application passed, and a meeting is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 22, prior to the regular County Commission meeting.
Two separations of employment were then approved. The first was for Ricky Arnett from the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department as a Security Officer. Hired on Aug. 27, 2020, his separation will be effective Aug. 29, 2024. “We appreciate Ricky’s service; he has been a wonderful individual, greeting all constituents and ensuring our courthouse’s safety,” said Tincher. The second separation was for Katelyn Glover from the Greenbrier County 911 Center, effective Sept. 2, 2024. Hired on Feb. 1, 2022, she is leaving for another job in Greenbrier County. Don Havens, Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, praised her as a stellar employee and wished her well. Havens also discussed the new hire for the full-time dispatcher position at the Greenbrier County 911 Center, Kameron Pack. “Kameron has a military background, having served as a military police officer in Korea and the United States,” said Havens. “He was very interactive during his interview, asked many questions, and received excellent reviews from Carla and Monica.” The commissioners approved the new hire unanimously.
The consideration of a contract for technology services with Lighter LLC for the 911 Communications Center followed. The contract, negotiated by the council and meeting all county requirements, was approved.
The final agenda item was the consideration of an order designating the Romano Law Office on Court Street as the off-site voting location for the 2024 General Election to accommodate early voting for Eastern Greenbrier County due to ongoing renovations at the Greenbrier County Courthouse. The motion was approved, and further information will be posted on the Greenbrier County Courthouse’s Facebook page as it becomes available.